Our experienced team consistently helps set us apart
Passionate, hardworking and knowledgeable.
At Hobson Farming our friendly dedicated team are passionate about growing high quality carrot and arable crops. Farming expertise, combined with a commitment to exceptional customer service means that Hobson Farming continues to be the leading supplier of carrots to the UK processing market.
Rodger Hobson
Managing DirectorAfter growing up on the family farm at Crockey Hill, Rodger read Engineering Science at Oxford University. Throughout his early career he was based in London as a Strategic Management Consultant with Corporate Clients in Sectors as diverse as Hotels and Leisure, Property and Airlines, before returning home to the farm business. Rodger now has over 40 years of carrot growing and farming experience and remains passionate and ambitious about the future for Hobson Farming. He is very proud to be Chairman of the British Carrot Growers Association.
Mob: 07801 345090
Andy Blunt
Farm ManagerAndy grew up in Sussex, son of dairy farmers and artisan goats cheese makers. He obtained his degree in Agriculture at Harper Adams University. After gaining practical experience at some large farming companies and a season in New Zealand, Andy joined our team in 2010. Andy was promoted to the role of Farm Manager in 2015 which involves managing our farm team at York and organising all carrot growing operations.
Mob: 07590 950084
Andrew Hetherington
Production ManagerAndrew joined us in 2010 as an arable operator and became a key member of our farming team. In 2021 Andrew took on a new challenge within the business moving into the role of Production Manager. The experience he has of the growing and harvesting of carrots is extremely beneficial to our link between farm and production. As production manager Andrew is responsible for ensuring that our carrots are washed and graded to customer’s specifications and delivered on time.
Tel: 01904 625734 | Mob: 07816 167673
James Thackray
ARABLE FARM MANAGER (MALTON FARMS)James became interested in farming at an early age and went on to gain his agricultural qualifications at Bishop Burton College, where he was awarded the top student prize. After college he worked on a self-employed basis for several large contractors managing teams on many different farms before joining us in 2011 as Farm Manager. James has responsibility for the day to day running of Scampston and Wintringham estates arable farming operations.
Mob: 07725 260693
Terry Gilliland
ARABLE FARM MANAGER (YORK FARMS)Terry first developed an interest in agriculture as a teenager working on farms near his home in North Northumberland. After completing an Agricultural Apprenticeship he went on to graduate from Bishop Burton College with a Foundation Degree in Agriculture. In 2016 Terry joined our team as an arable operator and now assists Andy in the day to day running of the arable and carrot operations. Terry has particular expertise in GPS technology and has main responsibility for our arable farming near York. He works closely with Escrick Park Estate to ensure that compliance with their environmental schemes is maintained.
Mob: 07776 302012
Vicky Blair
Technical ManagerVicky gained a master’s degree from Loughborough University before spending 4 years working for GlaxoSmithKline on their sports nutrition account. A family background and love for farming led to a side step in her career when she joined our team in 2012 in a new role for us as technical manager. It is a varied role which includes quality sampling throughout the year and managing compliance to Red Tractor, LEAF, Global Gap and GRASP audit standards.
Mob: 07904 044705
Kevin Dent
Workshop and Fabrication ManagerKevin joined us in 1999, having gained his fabrication and welding qualifications from York Tech College and built a reputation for excellent work with a local agricultural engineer. Today Kevin carries out fabrication and farm machinery maintenance for Hobson Farming and local farmers. He also manages our extensive spare parts stocks and workshop supplies.
Mob: 07801 345095
Vicky Hobson
Company DirectorVicky joined the business in 1999 after a successful career in automotive and consumer electronics industries, where she was responsible for development of components for companies such as Ford, Toyota, Dell and Black & Decker. Vicky graduated with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
Today Vicky is responsible for all property rentals and maintenance as well as insurance and payroll.
Mob: 07718 359001
Janet Bradshaw
FINANCE MANAGERJanet grew up in North Yorkshire and started her banking career with HSBC. She moved to London and the South East to pursue her career and has experience in both Retail and Corporate Banking. She moved back to Yorkshire to have her family and now has 4 grown up children. She joined us in 2006 and supports Rodger in all aspects of financial management.
Mob: 07906 964226
Recent news
Find out what’s happening on the farm, in the industry and for our community.
MEET: Andy Claydon – Responsible for Carrot Harvesting
BBC Radio 4 Farming Today – 27.10.25 – Overwintering Carrots
2025 Straw laying completed in ideal conditions
